Some of the most important VIPs are those without fame; those who are staunch supporters of Hong Kong cinema yet don't get the royal treatment from the organisers of the Filmart expo.
'Usually, as a buyer, I get free accommodation and flights. This year, because I paid more money to set up a booth, I get none of those concessions. It's strange,' says Gary Hamilton, managing director of Australian film distributor Arclight. 'But saying that, it doesn't matter. I have been passionate about Hong Kong films forever and now I am distributing these films to all the territories outside Asia, and it's a thrill.
'For instance, since I put out Twins Effect in the US, the Twins are famous and plastered everywhere there. The film sells well too, because of Jackie Chan's appearance - it is very exciting,' says Gary, who is currently distributing New Police Story, starring Jackie Chan and Daniel Wu, Enter the Phoenix, and Blade of the Rose (aka Twins Effect 2).
